Gas-engine.



No. 743,064. PATBNTED Nov. s, 1903.

' B. N. DIGKBRsoN.

GAS ENGINE.

Y APPLIGATION FILED AUG. 9, 1900.

`N() MODEL. v 2 SHEETS-SHEET?.

UNITED STATES Patented November 3, 1903.

EDWARD N. DICKERSON, OF STOVALL, NORTH CAROLINA.

4GAS-ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 743,064, dated November 3, 1903.

Application filed August 9, 1900. Serial No. 26,325. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD N. DICKER- SON, of Stovall, Granville county, in the State of North Carolina, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Gas Engines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. y

This invention relates to an improvement in gas-engines.

Gas-engines as usually constructed derive their supply of explosive gas or vapor from a constant supply.

The invention aims to construct a gas-engine with means operated by the engine for generating a fixed amount of an explosive gas of uniform constitution admixed with air, with means for charging said fixed amount of gas and air to the explosive-chamber of the engine, and with means for exploding the fixed charge.

Briey described, the invention consists of a gas-generating chamber communicating with the combustion-chamber of the engine and containing a liquid, means operated by the engine for supplying a predetermined amount of a solid to the liquid in the generatingchamber, and for further supplyinga predetermined amount of air to the generatv ing chamber, generating thereby a fixed amount of gas of uniform constitution admixed with air, means for charging said fixed amount of gas admixed with air to the combustion-chamber of the engine, and means for exploding said fixed charge. liquid employed is water, and preferably the solid employed is ordinary powdered carbid of calcium.

Preferably the III, an enlarged view of.' the carbid-hopper and surrounding mechanism shown in Fig. I; and Fig. IV, a cross-section at right angles through the carbid-hopper, Fig. III.

My apparatus consists generally of an ordinary type of explosive-gas engine, the type shown here being that in which the explosion is accomplished by means of an electric spark fromlthe coil N; but manifestly vany of the other forms, such as the hot-tube explosion type, could be employed. It is important to have a considerable air-inlet, since acetylene gas requires 4for its best explosionV a larger proportion of air than does ordinary gas.

As shown, .the gas-engine A is provided with a piston B, driving the ordinary powershaft through a crank, and the cylinder is shown as cooled by the annular Water-chamber C, which is supplied with cooling-water from the tank D by the pipe h, through which water is drawn by the force-pump E, which performs the double function of circulating Water past the cylinder and feeding it to the acetylene-generator. The suction-pipe h delivers to the annular water-chamber C past check-valves I I, between which check-valves I I is connected the relief-valve G, connecting with pipe H, which connects with pipe h, previously described. The pressure of the check-valve G can. be adjusted by means of a spring, and consequently the amount of water which it is desired to be delivered by the pump can be exactly determined, the excess returning again by pipe H to the suctionpipe h.

The motor shown is of the ordinary type, the construction of which is so well known that I will not further describe it.

The gas for the explosion is generated in the chamber k by the union of carbid and Water.l The carbid in powdered form is shown in the hopper O. The bottom of this hopper is the hollow valve P, (shown in section in Fig. IV,) having a longitudinal opening,which at each revolution allows the powdered carbid to fall into the central chamber of the valve and at the next half-revolution dumps it into the chamber below.. The revolution of this valve is accomplished from the secondary shaft M by ruiter-gears V, as is plainly shown. The shaft M makes one revolution IOO for two of the main shaft, and consequently feeds the carbid at each fourth stroke of the engine. The capacity of the valve P is adjustable by means of the plug R longitudinally sliding in said valve and closing its chamber. This plug R can be moved in 01 out of the valve by means of its screw-stem Z, which is fed by means ot' the nut S, provided with a ruiter-gear driven by the mitergear T and adjusting-shaft H'. In this way the amount of carbid delivered at each stroke can be readily determined. The carbid falls from the chamber P into the tube Y, the walls of which are provided with perforations W, through which water enters from the annular chamber X, which is supplied in turn by lthe water-pipe K, provided with adjustingvalve L, which connects with the annular chamber surrounding the driving-piston or other suitable connection from the pump. The apertures W project downward through the tube Y, and as each jet of water enters it tends to force the carbid downward into the generating-chamberbeneath. The tube Y is extended downward through the generatingchamber 7c and passes below the surface of the water. The gas generated by the contact of the carbid with the water escapes into the chamber k, the lower part of this-chamber being water-sealed and preferablyprovided with a conical portion ct, connecting with the reversible pipe b. This can be turned at any angle desired to maintain the waterlevel desired or can be dropped downward to empty the water in the chamberl lc.

The gas generated passes to the explosionchamber by the pipe c, and thence through the dust and explosion-trap e, and thence by pipe d, provided with a check-valve m, to the explosion-cylinder. The chamber-@contains alternate diaphragms of fine Wi re and cottonbatting, the effect of this being to prevent dust entering the cylinder and to prevent any explosion passing downward from the cylinder to the generating-chamber. The air which is to cause the explosion is mingled with the gas in the chamber k, being drawn in through the check-valvef. A valve g is provided to regulate the amount of air. The air of course is drawn in in the ordinary way by the downward motion of the piston B, which simultaneously draws into the cylinder the necessary amount of acetylene gas. On the upward stroke the gas is compressed and exploded, generating the power on the next downward stroke, and on the upward stroke the products of combustion are exhausted through the valve p, mechanically opened at the proper time, when thecycle is again ready -for repetition.

The operation of my mechanism can now be readily understood. By the revolution of the secondary shaft M a suitable amount of carbid for each explosive stroke is delivered into the chamber t, and simultaneously a jet ofwater is forced through the annularchamber X, uniting with the carbid to form acetylene gas.

An excess of water beyond what is necessary to unite with the carbid may be admitted, which then escapes through the pipe b, removing the powdered lime with it. The force of the stroke is determined by the amount of carbid admitted, which is determined by adjusting the plug R, and the desired proportion of air is determined by the adjustment of the valve g.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination in an explosive-gas engine provided with a water-jacketed cylinder, of a gas-generating chamber, means for establishing communication between the said chamber and cylinder,\a pump for simultaneously supplying water to said jacket and gasgenerating chamber, a carbid-chamber arranged above said gas-generating chamber, a valve driven from the engine for supplying carbid of calcium to said gas generating chamber, and means for varying the capacity of said valve.

2. In an explosive-engine, the combination with the cylinder thereof, of a gas-generator, means for simultaneously circulating water around the cylinder and supplying said generator, means for supplying an explosive charge of gas and air from said generator to said cylinder, and a dust and explosion trap mounted in the said means.

3. In an explosion-engine, the combination with the cylinder thereof, of a gas-generator, means for simultaneously circulating water around the cylinder and supplying said generator, means for supplying an explosive charge of gas and air from said generator to said cylinder, a dust and explosion trap mounted in the said means, and means for igniting said explosive charge.

4. The combination in a gas-engine, a gasgenerating chamber in suitable communication with the cylinder of the engine, means for circulating water around the said cylinder and supplying said generating-chamber therewith, a hopper for containing a metallic carbid, and a feeding device mechanically operated from the engine for feeding a determined amount of carbid of calcium to the gas-generating chamber to supply each explosive stroke of the engine.

5. The combination in a gas-engine,ofa gasgenerating chamber in suitable communication with the cylinder of the engine, means for circulating water around the said cylinder and supplying said generator therewith, a hopper containing a metallic carbid, a feeding device mechanically operated from the engine for feeding a determined amount of carbid of calcium into the gas generating chamber to supply each explosive stroke of the engine, and means carried by said feeding device for regulating the amount of carbid fed to the generator.

b'. In an explosive-engine, a Water-jacketed cylinder, a gas generator, connections between the gas-generator and the cylinder esiOC IIO

tablishing communication With the interior of the latter for supplying an explosive charge thereto, means for circulating ,Water through the said jacket of the cylinder, a connection between the Water-jacket and'the cylinder and said generator for supplying Water to the i latter, means for feeding `carbid of calcium to the said generator, and means for igniting an explosive charge when supplied to said cylinder. i

7. The combination with a gas-engine, of a gas-generating chamber, a hopper suitably connected tothe same andcontaining carbid sively said charges, and a dust and explosion trap for simultaneously preventing the entry of dust into the combustion-chamber and an explosion in the generating-chamber.

8. The combination with a combustionchamber of an explosive-gas engine, of a gasgenerating chamber, means for simultaneously circulating Water around said combustion-chamber and supplying said generator, mechanism for mechanically feeding to'said generating-chamber carbid of calcium for generating a xed amount of explosive gas, and means for supplying said fixed amount of gas to said combustion-chamber.

9. The combination in an explosive-gas engine provided With a jacketed cylinder, of a gas-generating chamber, means for charging saidcylinder from said chamber with a fixed amount of explosive gas, and a pump for simultaneously supplying Water to the said jacket and generating-chamber.

10. In an explosive-gas engine, means for generating for each explosive stroke of the engine the fixed amount of explosive gas required, means for charging the combustionchamber of the engine With the said fixed amount of gas, means for circulating Water around the combustion-chamber of the engine and to said means forgenerating the gas, and means for preventing back-firing or the passage of dust to the engine.

ll. In an explosive-gas engine, means for generating for each explosive stroke of the engine the fixed amount of explosive gas required, means for charging the combustionchamber of the enginewith the said fixed amount of gas, means for circulating Water around the combustion-chamber of the engine and to said means for generating the gas, and

means for exploding each of the said fixed charges.

12. In an explosive-gas engine, means for generating for each explosive stroke `of the engine the fixed amount of explosive gas required, means for charging the combustionchamber of the engine with the said fixed amount of gas, means for circulating a cooling medium around the combustion-chamber of the engine and to said means for generating gas, a valve mechanism therefor, and means for exploding each of the fixed charges.

13. In an explosive-gas engine, the combi nation With` the combustion-chamber thereof, of an explosive-gas generator in suitable communication with said chamber, means to prevent back-firin g arranged in the said communicating means, and means for-sin1ultane ously circulating water around the said combustion-chamber and feeding the said generator to generate gas.

14. In an explosive-gas engine, the combination Withlthe combustion-chamber thereof, of means in communication therewith for generating a fixed amount of an explosive gas of uniform constitution and supply the same directly to the said chamber, means for circulating a cooling medium around the said combustion-chamber, and means -for igniting the said explosive charge when fed into the combustion-chamber.

15. In an explosivegas engine, the combination with the combustion-chamber thereof, of a gas-generator in communication therewith adapted to generate fixed amounts of explosive gas of uniform constitution for each stroke of the piston and intermittently supplying each of the said amounts to said combustion-chamber, means for exploding each of the said fixed amounts of explosive gas when fed to the combustion-chamber, means for preventing back-firing, and means for simultaneously circulating Water around the said combustion-chamber and feeding the said generator.

16. In an explosive-gas engine, means for generating a fixed amount of explosive gas of uniform constitution admixed with a predetermined amount of air, means for charging said fixed amount of gas and air to the explosive-chamber of the engine directly from said generator, and means f or exploding the said fixed charge;

17. In anexplosive-gas engine, means for generating a fixed amount of an acetylene gas admixed with a predetermined amount of air, means for charging said fixed amount of gas and air to the engine, means for exploding said xed charge, and means for preventing back-firing. y

18. In combination, an explosive engine provided with a cylinder and a cooling medium circulating around the same, means for generating a fixed amount of explosive `gas of uniform constitution admixed With a predetermined amount of air, means for charging said cylinder with said xed amount of IOO IIO

gas and air, means for exploding said fixed ing said fixed amount of gas and air to said cylinder, means for exploding said fixed charge within said cylinder, and means for preventing back-firing.

20. In an explosive-gas engine, means operated by the engine for supplying a predetermined amount of calcium carbid to Water and a predetermined amount of air for generating a fixed amount of acetylene gas admixed with air, means for charging said fixed amount of acetylene gas to the combustionchamber of the engine directly from said generating means, and means for exploding the said charge.

2l. In an explosive-engine, means operated by the engine for supplying a predetermined amount of calcium carbid to water and a predetermined amount of air for generating a fixed amount of acetylene gas admixed with air, means for charging said fixed amount of acetylene gas and air to the combustionchamber of the engine directly from said generating means, means for exploding said charge, and means for preventing back-firing.

22. An explosive gas engine comprising means for generatinga fixed amount of acetylene gas admixed with a predetermined amount of air, means for charging said fixed amount of acetylene gas and air to the combustion-chamber of the engine, and means for exploding said fixed charge.

23. An explosive-gas engine comprising means for generating a predetermined quantity of acetylene gas admixed with a predetermined amount of air, and means for charging the combustion-chamber of the engine with said predetermined quantity of acetylene gas and air.

24. In an explosive-gas engine, a gas-generating chamber containing Water, means operated by the engine for supplying a predetermined amount of calcium carbid to the Water in the generating-chamber and for further supplying a predetermined amount of air to the generating-chamber, generating thereby a fixed amount of acetylene gas admixed with air, and means for charging said fixed amountof gas admixed with air to the combustion-chamber of the engine.

25. In an explosive-gas engine, a gas-generating chamber containing Water, means com-,

municating with the chamber and operated vby the engine for supplying a predetermined amount of air to the chamber, means operated by the engine for supplying a predetermined amount of calcium carbid to the Water in the chamber, generating thereby a fixed amount of acetylene gas mixed with a predetermined amount of air, and means for charging said fixed amount of acetylene gas and air to the combustion-chamber of the engine.

26. In an explosive-gas engine, agas-generating chamber containing Water, adjustable means communicating with the chamber and operated by the engine for supplying a predetermined amount of air to the chamber, adjustable means operated by the engine for supplying a predetermined amount of calcium carbid to the Water in the chamber, generating thereby a fixed amount of acetylene gas admixed with a predetermined amount of air, and means for charging said fixed amount of acetylene gas and air to the combustionchamber of the engine.

27. In an explosion-gas engine, means for generating a charge of explosive gas admixed with air, said means comprising a gas-generating chamber containing Water, an air-supply means communicating With said chamber and operated by the engine and a calcium-carbid-supply means communicating with said chamber and operated by the engine, and means for supplying said charge of explosive gas and air to the combustion-chamber of the engine.

28. In an explosive-gas engine, means for generating a charge of explosive-gas admixed with air, said means comprising a gas-generating chamber containing Water, an adjustable air-supply means communicating with said chamber and operated by the engine and an adjustable calcium-carbid-supply means communicating With said chamber and operated by the engine, and means for supplying said charge of explosive gas and air to the combustion-chamber of the engine.

29. In an explosive-gas engine, means for generating a charge of explosive gas adinixed With air, said means comprising a gas-generating chamber containing Water, an adjustable air-supply and an adjustable calciumcarbid supply, and means for supplying said charge to the combustion-chamber of the engine.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

E. N. DICKERSON.

Witnesses:

CHAS. S. HAMLET, CHAs. S. J oNEs. 

